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1 July 2001

New Fair Format Draws Crowds

AN
across-the-board increase in the number of buyers was reported at the Hong Kong
Houseware Fair and the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair organized by the Hong
Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) and held at the Hong Kong Convention and
Exhibition Centre in April.

According to independent audit specialists at the shows, 78,285 buyers from
around the world attended, up 43% on last year. The number of buyers from outside
Hong Kong soared by more than 39% to 43,330.

According to feedback, the new format provided more space for new exhibitors
to promote their products. The specialized nature of the fairs enabled the exhibitors
to meet targeted buyers.

"With
more space available to us, we were able to introduce new business sectors at
the fairs, such as bathroom accessories, furniture, garden accessories, artificial
flowers, handicrafts and much more," said the TDC's director of exhibitions
and publications C.S. Lee.

Topchoice Industries Ltd managing director Keith Chan, an exhibitor in the
Houseware Fair, said: "We were happy to meet more targeted buyers who,
in turn, appreciated the more specialized nature of the event."

Green & Associates marketing manager Denise Ng, who participated in both
the houseware and gifts fairs, said: "We were able to meet in excess of
20% more new buyers than last year. The new format is able to attract more buyers
for both fairs."

"The fairs not only matched exhibitors with overseas buyers in business
deals, but the exceptionally large number of overseas visitors attending also
generated additional income for Hong Kong's tourism sector," said the chairman
of the fair organizing committee, Jeffrey Lam.

According to figures released by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, average expenditure
by convention and exhibition visitors from overseas is HK$11,317 (US$1,451)
per stay. The two fairs attracted 46,814 overseas visitors (buyers and representatives
of overseas exhibitors). Their estimated expenditure in Hong Kong would total
HK$530m (US$68m).

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